A recent news story discussed a fire last week at the University of Michigan’s Frankel Cardiovascular Center. According to reports, the fire happened in a second floor procedure room at the center. There was minimal property damage caused by the fire, but one patient suffered severe injuries and several others were treated for smoke inhalation.

Surgical fires occur during the operation on or near a patient who is undergoing a surgical procedure or medical procedure. These fires occur when three elements are present. These elements are an ignition source, a fuel source, and an oxidizer.

Many patients are at high risk for a surgical fire based upon the type of surgery that are undergoing in the operating room. Hospital and doctors need to assess the likelihood of a surgical fire and take necessary precautions to prevent injury or harm to the patient. The failure to prevent a fire during surgery can give rise to a medical negligence lawsuit.

Medical negligence (or medical malpractice lawsuits) seek compensation for injuries and harm caused due to medical errors and mistakes. Settlements include money damages for pain and suffering, disfigurement, medical expenses, and loss of income. In cases involving the death of a patient, the surviving family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit.

Our Ann Arbor medical legal team will discuss your case with you, review your records, and advise you whether you have a legitimate claim for medical negligence. We will pay for and obtain your patient chart and will perform a detailed analysis of your treatment to determine whether you were harmed by a medical mistake. We will then consult with a board certified physician to get the necessary proof to file your lawsuit.

Contact Our Ann Arbor Medical Malpractice Lawyers

Want to know you have an Ann Arbor medical malpractice case? Tell us your story and we will evaluate your case.

You can also contact us initially through our website Free Case Review Box. If you prefer that type of contact initially, we will review your case and get back to you quickly with our initial opinions. Our goal is to learn as much as possible about your case and then provide you with your best legal options.

Bike riding in Ann Arbor is part of everyday life for many residents of the city. Whether you are student riding your bicycle to class or work, a parent on a recreational ride with you children, or a member of a bicycle touring group, the city provides great opportunities for exercise and outdoor activity. The City of Ann Arbor was designated a Silver-level Bicycle Friendly City by the League of American Bicyclists since 2005 and has over 70 miles of designated bicycle lanes, making it one of the top cities to ride your bike in all of Michigan.

Unfortunately, many motorists ignore the rights of bicyclists or are too distracted to see bicyclists riding in designated lanes or lawfully on the streets of Ann Arbor. This often leads to bicycle accidents that result in serious injuries or even death. In 2014, there were almost 900 bicycle accidents caused by negligent motorists in Michigan. A substantial number of those occurred in Ann Arbor due to cars, trucks, and busses hitting bicyclists who were riding their bikes either in bicycle lanes or on streets and highways.

Common Ann Arbor Bicycle Accident Questions

If you were injured in a bicycle accident, you probably have several questions and concerns, including:

Do I get Michigan no-fault insurance benefits if I was not in a car?

Can I receive no-fault benefits if I did not own a car or if I did not have car insurance?

Who is responsible for paying my hospital bills and medical expenses?

How do I recover my lost wages from time missed from work?

Can I receive a settlement for my pain and suffering and other injuries?

What is a fair settlement amount for my personal injury claim?

Who is the best lawyer to represent me for my Ann Arbor bicycle accident case?

How much does it cost to hire a lawyer to represent me?

In general, you are entitled to receive Michigan no-fault insurance benefits under every scenario if you were hit by a car while riding a bike, even if you did not own a vehicle or have an auto insurance policy. These benefits provide you with unlimited lifetime medical payments, lost wage benefits, household service payments, and attendant care benefits. We will help you determine which insurance company is responsible for paying those benefits and will assist you in preparing all of the necessary paperwork to file your claims.

You may also be entitled to a substantial settlement for your injuries. We help our clients receive the maximum possible compensation for their injuries, which includes settlements for your pain and suffering, disability, and scars or disfigurements that resulted from the accident. In cases involving a fatal bicycle accident, we file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the surviving family members.

When you call Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C., you will speak with directly with an experienced attorney who is friendly and eager to answer all of these questions for you. You may even have more questions and concerns and we will spend however long it takes to make sure you have a full and complete understanding of your rights. We will also explain how we can help you.

Contact Our Ann Arbor Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Want to know the settlement value of your Ann Arbor bike accident case? Tell us your story and we will evaluate your case.

You can also contact us initially through our website Free Case Review Box. If you prefer that type of contact initially, we will review your case and get back to you quickly with our initial opinions. Our goal is to learn as much as possible about your case and then provide you with your best legal options.

As an Ann Arbor area medical malpractice lawyer, I have become familiar with a number of bariatric surgery centers in the area and throughout the State of Michigan. I have filed a number of lawsuits on behalf of patients and their families against weight loss clinics and bariatric surgeons for injuries and death arising from these surgeries. Men and women often choose their surgeon and surgery center based upon seminars, presentations, and glossy marketing materials, but the fact is that not all bariatric centers are the same and patients should ask critical questions before making their selection.

I currently have a medical malpractice lawsuit pending against the Barix Clinic at the Forest Health Medical Center in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The surgeon in the case was Dr. John Schram, M.D. There have been other lawsuits filed against this clinic but settlements have been kept confidential from public disclosure. The federal government had also sued the Barix Clinic under the American With Disabilities Act and that case was settled. My current case has been appealed to the Michigan Supreme Court by Forest Health Medical Center and the physicians involved in the care of the patient.

When researching the best facility for your weight loss surgery, you should know the following information:

First, make sure that the bariatric clinic you are considering is certified as a “Center of Excellence” by the American Society of Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). Centers who have received this designation must meet specific criteria on staffing experience, number of surgeries performed, and have on site inspections. The center must also report their outcomes to the organization for review and analysis.

Second, remember that presentations and seminars for “informational purposes” are really marketing presentations to get you to have your surgery done at the hospital or surgical center. These are actually just professional PowerPoint presentations, usually created by the marketing team or an outside agency. Look at these the same way you would as if you were attending a sales presentation for a time share vacation package.

Third, ask questions about the surgeons themselves and the other doctors that we will following you as an in-patient after the procedure. Learn about their credentials and background from searching the internet. Don’t just rely on the center’s own materials and website, or the friendliness of the surgeon at the presentation. Don’t be bashful to ask them about current or past lawsuits brought by patients for medical malpractice. Remember, it’s your life and health at stake.

Fourth, remember that this is an invasive surgery under anesthesia. A number of things can go very wrong during the surgery itself or due to post-operative complications. Death and subsequent surgeries are very possible risks of the procedures. Ask the center and surgeon about how their complication rates compare to other centers in the area. Get written proof to support what they are telling you.

My current lawsuit pending against the Barix Clinic in Ypsilanti, Michigan alleges that the patient was not properly diagnosed with a bowel obstruction after surgery and was discharged home. She later went to another hospital and underwent a surgery to repair the condition, but complications arose in that surgery which resulted in a perforated bowel. She spent several months in the ICU fighting for her life. The medical bills were in excess of $900,000.00. The Defendant Forest Health Medical Center and its surgeon, Dr. John Schram, M.D. deny any negligence in the case.

In my current case, I have learned several things that may give potential patients concerns about having surgery at the Barix Clinic in Michigan. I have listed below a number of things that you may want to know about this clinic from my current pending case. However, these may have changed since my cases was filed so you should ask about them if you make an appointment or attend a seminar:

1. The Barix Clinic at Forest Health does not have an emergency department like a regular hospital. There are no emergency room physicians available to treat an emergent medical condition after hours. The patient would have to be rushed by ambulance to another local Ann Arbor area hospital.

2. The Barix Clinic does not have a CT Scan to check for post-operative complications, like a bowel obstruction or post-surgical leak. The patient would have to be taken to another facility for this type of study.

3. Read the fine print in the papers you sign before your operation. In my case, the fine print says that the surgeons are not employed by Forest Health Medical Center and are independent contractors. The facility is trying to avoid liability by claiming that it did not employ the doctors who worked there and treated the patient. Your paperwork may be different but you will want to read it carefully.

4. There are may not be physicians or surgeons at the facility after hours to see patients. Most hospitals have medical residents and interns to round on patients during the night and to report to the attending surgeon if there are any complications or concerns.

5. The facility has an after hours hotline to call with any problems, but your call may not be returned by the surgeon who did your surgery.Most major Michigan hospitals have their own bariatric centers, like the University of Michigan and William Beaumont Hospital. If you are concerned about undergoing a major surgery at a surgical center instead of a major hospital, you may want to check out those bariatric programs as well.

The bottom line is that you need to research your surgeon and facility before undergoing weight loss surgery. You may feel comfortable with Barix at Forest Health in Michigan after doing your due diligence, but don’t be afraid to ask the important questions. Your life and future health depend on it.

Monroe Car Accident Lawyer Files Injury Lawsuit

Our Monroe car accident lawyers recently filed a car accident lawsuit on behalf of a client who suffered serious injuries in a Monroe car accident. Our client was driving his vehicle through an intersection in Monroe when his vehicle was struck on the driver’s hand side. The negligent driver disregarded the traffic signal and caused the accident.

Our client suffered serious and painful injuries from the Monroe auto accident. He has received continuous treatment for those injuries. His injuries from the accident include herniated discs in his lumbar spine which required surgery. As a result of the injuries, he has required help in his home performing activities of daily living, and has been unable to return to work. He has not fully recovered.

The lawsuit seeks damages for the pain and suffering and disability caused by the auto accident. The accident lawsuit was filed in the Monroe County Circuit Court. No trial date has been set by the court.

Our Ann Arbor bicycle accident lawyers recently settled a lawsuit for a bicyclist struck by a car. Our client was a University of Michigan student and an avid bicyclist. While riding his bike along E. Huron Drive in Ann Arbor around dusk, he was struck by a car that was turning left into a parking lot.

The bicyclist was riding along the roadway in a marked bicycle lane. He was wearing fluorescent clothing, including a jacket, and had fluorescent strips on his helmet, gloves, and bicycle. He also had a light on the front of the bike.

Our client suffered serious injuries, including orthopedic injuries and a traumatic brain injury. He was hospitalized for several weeks before returning home to the Boston area. He still has the effects of his brain injury, including problems with balance, vision, and speech and language. He is disabled from work and still receives medical care for his injuries, even three years post-accident.

We filed a lawsuit on his behalf in the Washtenaw County Circuit Court seeking damages for his pain and suffering, disability, and other damages. The defendant driver claimed that the bicyclist rode into the passenger side of her vehicle and that he caused the accident. She also believed that he was riding on a sidewalk adjacent to the road, instead of in the marked bicycle lane. We took the depositions of a number of witnesses, including the investigating police officer and EMS personnel. We were able to establish that the accident did occur in the roadway and proved that our client was not at fault. The insurance company for the driver then agreed to pay the policy limits of $250,000.00 to settle the case.

Our Ypsilanti car accident lawyers recently filed a car accident lawsuit on behalf of a minor child who suffered serious injuries in a Ypsilanti car accident. Our client was travelling as a passenger in a vehicle heading eastbound on Washtenaw Avenue in Ypsilanti, when the vehicle collided with another car. The vehicle our client was occupying subsequently hit a tree.

Our client suffered injuries from the Ypsilanti auto accident and has received continuous treatment for those injuries. His injuries from the accident include a traumatic brain injury, fractured right orbital bone, headaches, PTSD and pain in the back and neck. Our client was taken by ambulance to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. As a result of the injuries, he has required help in his home performing activities of daily living, and has been enrolled in an assistive program at his high school.

The lawsuit seeks damages for the pain and suffering and disability caused by the auto accident. The suit also seeks payment of 1st Party benefits from State Farm Insurance after the insurance company failed to pay the full amount of benefits due and owing to our client. The accident lawsuit was filed in the Washtenaw County Circuit Court. No trial date has been set by the court.

If you or someone you care about was injured in an Ypsilanti car accident, you should call our experienced auto accident attorneys to learn more about your legal rights. You may be entitled to compensation and a significant settlement. Call us today at (800) 606-1717to start your case.

According to research, driving distractions are one of the main reasons car accidents happen. In 2009 alone, distracted driving wrongfully killed nearly 5,500 people and injured a half million more. It is a serious issue and should not be taken lightly.

Being involved in a Michigan car accident can be a scary experience. Often times, car accidents result in catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, closed head injuries, spinal cord injuries, back and neck injuries, broken bones, fractures, and even pain and suffering. Our car accident lawyers at Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. represent victims injured in Ann Arbor distracted driving auto accidents.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, many things can distract us in a vehicle. These are the top 11 distractions that happen most often behind the wheel, and should be avoided to decrease to risk of an auto accident including:

Applying makeup

Shaving

Eating

Reading

Talking on the phone

Texting

Lounging

Singing

Petting the dog, cat, rabbit etc.

Watching a movie

Accessing the internet

If you or someone you know has been the victim of a Ann Arbor distracted driving accident, you need to hire the best possible attorney to represent you. Our distracted driving accident lawyers at Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. have significant experience in receiving substantial compensation for our Ann Arbor car accident victims.

Our distracted driving lawyers will represent you under our NO FEE PROMISE which guarantees you that you will receive the best possible legal representation for your Ann Arbor distracted driving accident at no cost, unless you receive a recovery in your case.

For more information about your rights after a Michigan distracted driving accident and to speak with one of our Ann Arbor distracted driving accident lawyers about your case, call us now at (800) 606-1717.

Our Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. Ann Arbor medical malpractice attorneys recently settled a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of patient who underwent a bariatric weight loss surgery and died a few days later due to the surgeon and medical staff failure to timely diagnose and treat a post-operative leak. The lawsuit was filed in the Washtenaw County Circuit Court in Ann Arbor, Michigan and settled for $240,000.00 based upon the amount of damages available under Michigan law and the disputed issues in the case.

The wrongful death lawsuit alleged that the patient who underwent a bariatric surgery, also known as a laparoscopic roux n y surgery, was discharged home after a twenty-four hour post-operative admission with signs and symptoms of a post-operative leak. After her discharge, her family took her to a local hospital emergency department due to the patient becoming severely ill and in significant pain and distress at home. She tragically died the following day. The medical examiner determined the cause of death was sepsis from a post-operative bariatric surgery leak.

Our medical malpractice attorneys filed the lawsuit against the surgeon and Ann Arbor medical facility. The claim was brought by the surviving family members, the patient’s son and daughter. The wrongful death claim alleged that the surgeon and medical staff failed to timely diagnose the patients condition and discharged her home with the signs and symptoms of a leak that tragically lead to her death. We argued that if the condition was properly diagnosed before she was discharged home, she would have not died and would have been able to undergo another surgery to treat her condition.

The defendants argued that the leak occurred after she left the medical facility and that her vital signs at the time of discharge were appropriate to send her home. It was also argued by the defendants that the death was not in fact caused by sepsis, but due to cardiac arrest not related to her bariatric leak. (more…)

The Ann Arbor bicycle accident lawyer at the award winning law firm of Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. recently filed a no-fault benefit lawsuit on behalf of our bicyclist client who suffered injuries after being hit by a car. The lawsuit was filed in the Washtenaw County Circuit Court. No trial date has been set by the court.

The lawsuit arose out of an accident in which our client was struck by a car while riding his bike in Ann Arbor. Due to the bicycle crash, he suffered serious injuries, including an incapacitating traumatic brain injury.

Bicyclists injured in Michigan car accidents do have legal rights are able to receive no-fault benefits for their injuries. No-fault benefits that may be available to injured bicyclist include attendant care services, medical bills, prescription costs, and expenses, wage and income loss benefits, household chores/replacement services, case management services, home modifications, and more. If a bicyclist who was injured has his own insured vehicle, then that insurance company is responsible for payment of these benefits. When the insurance company denies payment, the only recourse available is to file a no-fault benefit lawsuit against the insurance company.

Our client’s insurance company is Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, therefore Liberty Mutual is responsible for paying his no-fault benefits, including his wage loss benefits. However because they have failed to do so, our client hired our experienced Ann Arbor bicycle accident attorney to file a no-fault benefit claim on his behalf. The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $25,000 for unpaid no-fault insurance benefits. Also included in damages, is a demand for both attorney’s fees and penalty interest.

If you or a loved one was involved in an Ann Arbor bicycle accident that involved a motor vehicle and are having trouble obtaining your insurance benefits, call our award winning Buckfire & Buckfire attorneys now at (800) 606-1717. We will discuss your case with you and determine which no-fault insurance company is responsible for paying your benefits in Michigan. Call today for your free, no obligation consultation! We will represent you in your Ann Arbor injury case under our No Fee Promise, which means no legal fees or costs until we win or settle your claim.

Ann Arbor car accident lawyers at Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. are reporting on a hit and run accident that injured Navya Varshney, a University of Michigan graduate student on Wednesday, July 10th, around 1:45 a.m. at the intersection of High Street and Elizabeth Street. According to police, a car traveling north on Elizabeth Street attempted to turn left on High Street when they hit Ms. Varshney crossing Elizabeth Street. As a result of the crash, Ms. Varshney suffers from broken ligaments, cartilage and nerve damage in the fingers of her right hand, temple injury, shoulder injury, and a back injury.

I am so sorry to hear about this pedestrian injury accident. I hope Ms. Varshney has a fast recovery without any permanent damages.

According to reports, approximately eleven percent of all vehicle accidents are hit and run collisions involving 700,000 cars. From 1999 to 2001 hit and runs have jumped 19% and continue to rise since 2003. Hit-and-run car accidents are too common and can be prevented.

Our Ann Arbor lawyers advise pedestrian victims of their legal rights after a Michigan car accident. For this type of hit and run, the injured U of M graduate student can submit a claim forMichigan No-Fault insurance benefits. No-Fault benefits will cover their medical expenses, lost wages, attendant care, replacement services, and other benefits related to injuries suffered in the accident. The student can claim these benefits even if they did not have a Michigan automobile insurance policy. (more…)